How to Make an Easy Quilt Hanging Sleeve

Janet is the author of the Rodale book "Classic American Quilt Collection: Stars" and has contributed to dozens of other books and patterns as both a writer and editor. She has published over 350+ articles for The Spruce Crafts.

Add a Hanging Sleeve Before Binding the Quilt

Janet Wickell

A quilt hanging sleeve can be permanent or temporary and it can be sewn on after or at the same time you apply binding. A hanging sleeve allows a quilt to hang evenly, preventing the stretch that nearly always occurs when you secure the project to a wall with a series of pins or other fasteners.

Sew a Hanging Sleeve to the Quilt When You Sew the Binding

The photograph illustrates a hanging sleeve on the back of the TARDIS quilt. It includes media photos from Matt Smith's run as Doctor Who. The sleeve was sewn to the quilt when the binding was applied.

Place the open seam against the quilt's back. Center and pin the top edge of the tube to the back of the quilt, about 1/2" below the binding.

Use a whipstitch to sew the top edge of the tube to the quilt backing. Stitch into the quilt batting occasionally to help strengthen the seam but do not allow the stitches to show on the front of the quilt.

Smooth the sleeve downward along the quilt backing and then make a 1/2" fold along its length to create a pleat. Leaving the pleat intact, pin the sleeve bottom to the quilt.

Whipstitch the lower edge of the sleeve to the quilt. Remove pins. The sleeve will pooch out a bit to allow space for a hanging rod.

Whipstitch the (short) back sides of the sleeve to the quilt. Leave the front sides unsewn to allow for rod insertion.